RL/Ralph Lauren: User Reviews

Great Food, Needs Help
By thatsrobb from Edgewater, July 27, 2009

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First time here and I was excited. The room is beautiful, but it's definitely noisy. Ordered an appetizer and main course salad. The baked cheese appetizer (which was WONDERFUL) took nearly an hour to arrive and actually, the cheese was cold in the middle. I'd have rated this place much lower but they were saved by our (cute) waiter. Before I could even get annoyed or complain, he came over, very sincerely apologized and took the appetizer off my bill. And then, after that, he also took a glass of wine off my bill. So, the kitchen could use some help clearly, but the service itself was great and honestly, when I did get the food, it was terrific.

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DELIGHTFUL
By LoriAnnJ from Elmwood Park, December 16, 2008

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This was my FIRST time @ RL. I was truly impressed. I'm an 'average julie', but have been at some of Chicago's Fine Restaurants. This was GOOD. It's interesting to be amongst people who have MONEY just pouring out of their skin...it's GOOD entertainment for someone like me and my friends. BUT - we were treated well, the service was very good. The FOOD was delivered to us exactly the way we ordered it and it was Delicious! I think it's a cute little secret - I would LOVE to go back!

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Noisy, Crowded (As in Where is the Fire Marshall?), Overrated
By JK from Chicago, September 18, 2008

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What a dump, to quote Bette Davis. Off-putting even at 2 PM with a reservation. Last time I dined here at lunch it was quiet and pleasant although the food was average. This time the whole place looked and felt like a souk in Tangier. Everyone looked angry and overworked...I'm talking about the customers.Cross this one off your list. Yuck.

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Over-rated
By Zoom from West suburbs, April 28, 2008

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It is a beautiful restaurant but I was not too impressed with their food or service.
The lobster bisque was too salty and the RL burger, which I ordered medium was too bloody. The burger buns were soaked with bloody juice and that was really awful.
The server was not too attentive considering it was not even that busy yet.
The base of the table was too big and I had not choice but to put my feet on it.

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The Best In Town
By dimpu23 from wrigleyville, March 30, 2008

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Probably one of the best places I have esten in chicago!!! The ambiance was amazing!!! Our British waiter was the best, great service and very knowledgeable!!! The lobseter (which in not on the menu, but got it without the pasta) was the best lobster I have tried in my life. Everything about the place waqnts me to go back another time!!!
The only thing is that I feel the place was a little bit crowded into a small area, but otherwise worth going to!!!

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Great food, ambiance
By MET from Old Town, February 19, 2008

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I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit to RL. The food and decor were great. I enjoyed the classic cocktails and American cuisine. The steak and Dover sole were perfectly done and nicely presented. The only negative was that the food came out of the kitchen very fast. I usually enjoy a more leisurely dining experience. The bananas foster sounded divine but I was too full to eat dessert. I will need to try it on a return visit!

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our favorite place in Chicago, who knew?
By andreas from lincoln square, February 11, 2008

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I have avoided this place for years...thinking it was a tourist trap and a be-seen place for pathetic wannabes. Boy was I wrong. This is now my favorite all-around place in the city. In fact, i have been ther 16 times in the past year! Always good for guests and when you just want quality without risking it on a new place.
The lamb chops are my favorite and have been pleasantly surprised by various other dishes, including the oysters, fish and steak courses. The wait staff is impeccable. and the girls in the front deal wonderfully with what often seems like a pushy and clientele. I can only suggest expanding the dining room (into the store?) as it often gets too crowded.
Kudos for the consistent quality.

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My favorite restaurant in Chicago!...
By Erick from Mount Prospect, IL, August 9, 2007

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My favorite restaurant in Chicago! The service, atmosphere and food are all world class! The food is simply over the top delicious.

I have frequented this restuarant for three years and honestly have never had a problem with the service or food. All my friends I have taken here were equally impressed with this eatery. I eat at RL every time I visit Michigan Avenue and I eat here every Christmas Eve during my stay at the Drake Hotel few blocks north. The staff is always attentive and cheerfullyh give me more of that delicious sweet bread upon request. When I did not like a particular dessert on one occassion, the price was taken off my bill. The decor of the place is so delightfully beautiful that I had my condo redone just like it! I am unshamed to be RL biggest fan. Thank you so much for setting the standard for sophisticated yet unpretentious fine dining!

RLs is my favorite restaurant...
By Kim P from chicago, IL, May 21, 2007

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RLs is my favorite restaurant and its where we go to celebrate. The first time I went there years ago, I was not accustomed to fine dining at all. So it seemed a bit stuffy and like old money at the time. But the food is always spectacular. We always request the same server, who always remembers us and treats us like we're something special. We always get wine on the house or a special dessert in honor of our celebration!! Be sure to make reservations, expect an upper class, fine dining wait staff. If your accustomed to applebees and the olive garden, then this place may seem a little pompous, but sit back, laugh and enjoy it for what its worth. I adore this place, the food is the best, great service, and the bananas foster is the best dessert!!! You can't go wrong with any entrees. I highly recomment the Dover Sole!

We went here on a...
By Addie from Chicago, IL, February 15, 2007

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We went here on a Wednesday night and it was packed. The typical customer tended to be very full of themselves and a bit older not to mention pretentious. We felt almost everyone was looking down at us the entire time. Our server couldn't recommend a bottle of wine even after we asked what her favorite one was. After all this, the food is UNBEATABLE. Honeslty, everything from quality, quantity to presentation was fabulous. I had the scallops and I couldn't believe how many I got (8)! Table-side Bananas Foster is always a plus. Will go back just wish the clientele was different!